Expandable data center with side modules

ABSTRACT

Enlarging a computing room includes moving a movable wall of a computing room away from one or more other walls of the computing room such that a gap is created in an expansion zone between the movable wall and the other walls. Side modules are coupled in the gaps between the movable wall and the other walls such that the side modules, the movable wall, and the other walls define an enlarged computing room that includes the expansion zone.

BACKGROUND

Organizations such as on-line retailers, Internet service providers,search providers, financial institutions, universities, and othercomputing-intensive organizations often conduct computer operations fromlarge scale computing facilities. Such computing facilities house andaccommodate a large amount of server, network, and computer equipment toprocess, store, and exchange data as needed to carry out anorganization's operations. Typically, a computer room of a computingfacility includes many server racks. Each server rack, in turn, includesmany servers and associated computer equipment.

Because a computing facility may contain a large number of servers, alarge amount of electrical power may be required to operate thefacility. In addition, the electrical power is distributed to a largenumber of locations spread throughout the computer room (e.g., manyracks spaced from one another, and many servers in each rack). Usually,a facility receives a power feed at a relatively high voltage. Thispower feed is stepped down to a lower voltage (e.g., 110V). A network ofcabling, bus bars, power connectors, and power distribution units, isused to deliver the power at the lower voltage to numerous specificcomponents in the facility.

Computer systems typically include a number of components that generatewaste heat. Such components include printed circuit boards, mass storagedevices, power supplies, and processors. For example, some computerswith multiple processors may generate 250 watts of waste heat. Someknown computer systems include a plurality of such larger,multiple-processor computers that are configured into rack-mountedcomponents, and then are subsequently positioned within a rackingsystem. Some known racking systems include 40 such rack-mountedcomponents and such racking systems will therefore generate as much as10 kilowatts of waste heat. Moreover, some known data centers include aplurality of such racking systems. Some known data centers includemethods and apparatus that facilitate waste heat removal from aplurality of racking systems, typically by circulating air through oneor more of the rack systems.

Many data center includes numerous rack-mounted servers housed in abuilding, which provides protection operating equipment. Such buildingsmay require a substantial investment in the form of construction costs,maintenance costs, and/or leasing costs. In addition, substantial timeand resources are typically required to design and build a data center(or expansion thereof), lay cables, install racks and cooling systems.Additional time and resources are typically needed to conductinspections and obtain certifications and approvals, such as forelectrical and HVAC systems.

Many data centers rely on forced air systems and air conditioning tomaintain the temperatures and other environmental conditions in the datacenter within acceptable limits. The initial and ongoing costs ofinstalling and operating these systems may add substantial cost andcomplexity to data center operations.

The amount of computing capacity needed for any given data center maychange rapidly as business needs dictate. Most often, there is a needfor increased computing capacity at a location. Initially providingcomputing capacity in a data center, or expanding the existing capacityof a data center (in the form of additional servers, for example), isresource-intensive and may take many months to effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate a data center having a movable wall fora computing room.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of expandingchanging the size of a computing room of a data center by translating amovable wall.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a plan view and a side elevation view,respectively, of a data center after a movable wall has been translatedto increase the length of a computing room.

FIG. 4 illustrates enlarging a computing room of a data center by addingside modules.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a side module that can be used onthe side of computing room of a data center.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a data center having side modulesthat can be used to increase the size of a computing room.

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a data center in which a movablewall has been positioned to serve as an end wall of a computing room.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a data center with a computing room that isbounded by side modules.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate extending support structure elements toenlarge a computing room of a data center.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate an enlarged computing room.

FIG. 11 illustrates a data center having computing rooms connected bycommon side modules.

FIG. 12 illustrates a data center having an expandable exterior shell.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that the drawings and detaileddescription thereto are not intended to limit the invention to theparticular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within thespirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appendedclaims. The headings used herein are for organizational purposes onlyand are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description orthe claims. As used throughout this application, the word “may” is usedin a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), ratherthan the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words“include,” “including,” and “includes” mean including, but not limitedto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Systems and methods for providing computing resources are disclosed.According to one embodiment, a data center includes a floor thatsupports rack computing systems and walls that enclose a computing room.The computing room has a length and a width. The computing room holdsthe rack computing systems. The walls include a pair of opposingparallel walls defining the width of the computing room and one or moremovable walls. At least one of the movable walls substantially spans theopposing parallel walls. The movable walls can translate to increase ordecrease the length of the computing room.

According to one embodiment, a data center includes a floor thatsupports rack computing systems and walls that enclose a computing room.The computing room has a length and a width. The computing room holdsthe rack computing systems. One of the walls is a movable wall. Themovable wall translates relative to the other walls to increase ordecrease the size of the computing room.

According to one embodiment, a method of changing the size of acomputing room includes providing a computing room enclosed by walls. Amovable wall is translated relative to the other walls of the computingroom to increase or decrease the size of the computing room.

According to one embodiment, a method of enlarging a computing roomincludes moving a movable wall of a computing room away from one or moreother walls of the computing room such that a gap is created in anexpansion zone between the movable wall and the other walls. One or moreside modules are coupled in the gap between the movable wall and theother walls such that the side modules, the movable wall, and the otherwalls define an enlarged computing room that includes the expansionzone.

According to one embodiment, a method of enlarging a computing roomincludes extending support structure elements from a computing room intoan expansion zone for the computing room. One or more side modules arecoupled to the supporting structure elements in the expansion zone forthe computing room to enclose an enlarged computing room.

According to one embodiment, a data center includes a floor thatsupports rack computing systems and walls. One of the walls is a movableend wall that can be moved away from the other walls of the computingroom to create an expansion zone between the movable wall and the otherwalls. Side modules can couple in a gap between the movable wall and theone or more other walls such that the one or more side modules, themovable wall, and at least one of the other walls define an enlargedcomputing room that includes the expansion zone.

According to one embodiment, a data center includes rack computingsystems, a floor that supports the rack computing systems, two or moreopposing end walls, two or more side modules. The side modules and endwalls are arranged to enclose a computing room for the rack computingsystems. One of the end walls is movable to allow insertion ofadditional side modules along the sides of the computing room to enlargethe computing room.

As used herein, “data center infrastructure” means systems, components,or elements of a system that provide resources for computing devices,such as electrical power, data exchange capability with externalsystems, air, heat removal, and environmental control (for example,humidity control, particulate control).

As used herein, a “modular panel” includes a panel, plate, frame, thatcan partially enclose a space. A modular panel may have one or moreopenings. In some embodiments, a modular panel works in combination withother elements to partially enclose a space. For example, a data centerinfrastructure module may couple in an opening of the modular panel suchthat the data center infrastructure module and the modular panel combineto enclose a computing room.

As used herein, “room” means a room or a space of a building. As usedherein, “computing room” means a room of a building in which computingdevices, such as rack-mounted servers, can be operated.

As used herein, a “support structure element” includes one or moreelements that support elements that enclose a computing room. Examplesof support structure elements include a floor, slab, false floor, rail,frame, rod, bar, or scaffold.

As used herein, an “aisle” means a space next to one or more racks.

As used herein, “air handling system” means a system that provides ormoves air to, or removes air from, one or more systems or components.

As used herein, “air moving device” includes any device, element,system, or combination thereof that can move air. Examples of air movingdevices include fans, blowers, and compressed air systems.

As used herein, “ambient” refers to a condition of outside air at thelocation of a system or data center. An ambient temperature may betaken, for example, at or near an intake hood of an air handling system.

As used herein, a “cable” includes any cable, conduit, or line thatcarries one or more conductors and that is flexible over at least aportion of its length. A cable may include a connector portion, such asa plug, at one or more of its ends.

As used herein, a “cold aisle” means an aisle from which air can bedrawn for use in removing heat from a system, such as a rack computingsystem.

As used herein, “computing” includes any operations that can beperformed by a computer, such as computation, data storage, dataretrieval, or communications.

As used herein, “computing device” includes any of various devices inwhich computing operations can be carried out, such as computer systemsor components thereof. One example of a computing device is arack-mounted server. As used herein, the term computing device is notlimited to just those integrated circuits referred to in the art as acomputer, but broadly refers to a processor, a server, amicrocontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC),an application specific integrated circuit, and other programmablecircuits, and these terms are used interchangeably herein. Some examplesof computing devices include e-commerce servers, network devices,telecommunications equipment, medical equipment, electrical powermanagement and control devices, and professional audio equipment(digital, analog, or combinations thereof). In various embodiments,memory may include, but is not limited to, a computer-readable medium,such as a random access memory (RAM). Alternatively, a compact disc—readonly memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), and/or a digitalversatile disc (DVD) may also be used. Also, additional input channelsmay include computer peripherals associated with an operator interfacesuch as a mouse and a keyboard. Alternatively, other computerperipherals may also be used that may include, for example, a scanner.Furthermore, in the some embodiments, additional output channels mayinclude an operator interface monitor and/or a printer.

As used herein, “data center” includes any facility or portion of afacility in which computer operations are carried out. A data center mayinclude servers dedicated to specific functions or serving multiplefunctions. Examples of computer operations include informationprocessing, communications, simulations, and operational control.

As used herein, a “hot aisle” means an aisle into which heated air canbe discharged for use in removing heat from a system, such as a rackcomputing system.

As used herein, “mechanical cooling” means cooling of air by a processthat involves doing mechanical work on at least one fluid, such asoccurs in vapor-compression refrigeration systems.

As used herein, a “module” is a component or a combination of componentsphysically coupled to one another. A module may include functionalelements and systems, such as computer systems, circuit boards, racks,blowers, ducts, and power distribution units, as well as structuralelements, such a base, frame, housing, or container.

As used herein, an “operating environment”, in the context of computingresources, means the space, facilities and infrastructure resourcesprovided for the computing resources. An operating environment for a setof rack computing systems includes the space, power, data interchange,cooling, and environmental control resources provided for the set ofcomputing systems.

As used herein, “power distribution unit” refers to any device, module,component, or a combination thereof, that can be used to distributeelectrical power. The elements of a power distribution unit may beembodied within a single component or assembly (such as a transformerand a rack power distribution unit housed in a common enclosure), or maybe distributed among two or more components or assemblies (such as atransformer and a rack power distribution unit each housed in separateenclosure, and associated cables, etc.)

As used herein, “power panel” means any panel, device, module,component, or combination thereof, that can be used to transfer ordistribute electrical power from one or more input conductors to one ormore output conductors. In certain embodiments, a remote power panelincludes main lug only panel conductors. A remote power panel may behoused in an enclosure, such as a cabinet.

As used herein, “rack computing systems” means a computing system thatincludes one or more computing devices mounted in a rack.

As used herein, a “space” means a space, area or volume.

FIG. 1A is a plan view illustrating one embodiment of a data centerhaving a movable wall for a computing room. FIG. 1B is a side elevationview illustrating the data center shown in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C is an endelevation illustrating the data center shown in FIG. 1A. Data center 100includes exterior walls 102 and roof 104. Exterior walls 102 and roof104 encloses ground-level space 106, second-level space 108, andsubfloor space 110.

Ground level space is bounded by floor 112 and ceiling 114. Ground-levelspace 106 includes hall 116 and peripheral room 118. Hall 116 isseparated from peripheral spaces 118 by side walls 120.

Data center 100 includes movable wall 124. Movable wall 124 includespanel 126 and roller assemblies 128. Movable wall 124 may span hall 118between side walls 120. Movable wall 124 may run from floor 130 of hall116 to ceiling 114.

Computing room 132 is enclosed by opposing side walls 120, end wall 134,and movable wall 124. Computing room 132 houses rack computing systems136. Each of rack computing systems 136 may include computing devices,such as servers, as well as other systems and devices for supportingcomputing operations in computing room, such as power supply units, rackpower distribution units, and fans.

Data infrastructure modules 140 are provided in peripheral rooms 118.Data center infrastructure modules 140 may provide infrastructureresources, such as electrical power, cooling air, network connections,and storage, for compute resources in computing room. In FIG. 1A, datacenter infrastructure modules 140 include electrical power system 142,mechanical module 144, network module 146, secure storage module 148,office space module 150, and payment transfer system module 152.Electrical power system 142 may include generator 154, uninterruptiblepower supply 155, and power distribution unit 156. In some embodiments,different side modules are interchangeable with one another. Forexample, office space module 150 and payment transfer system module 152have the same mounting interface, such that either of the modules can bemounted in any slot in an interior frame. In one embodiment, a datacenter infrastructure module includes a loading dock. The loading dockmay be used to transfer computing resources and data centerinfrastructure into or out of a computing room. The loading dock modulemay include door. The door may be used to control access through themodule and protect computing resources from environmental conditionsoutside of the modules.

In some embodiments, opposing side walls 120, end wall 134, movable wall124, ceiling 114, and floor 106 may combine to serve as a plenum for airused to cool computing devices in rack computing systems 134. Forexample, air may be maintained at a higher pressure inside computingroom 132 than in the portion of hall 114 outside of computing room 132.In some embodiments, sealing elements (such as flaps) are provided atthe junctions between movable 124 and the adjoining elements of theenclosure, such as side walls 120, floor 130, and ceiling 114. In someembodiments, fire retardant materials are used for the main structure ofmovable wall 124, the sealing elements, or both.

Movable wall 124 may divide computing space from non-computing space.For example, computing room 124 may be suitable for holding rack-mountedcomputing devices to perform computing operations. Non-computing space158 may be used for purposes other than computing, such as equipmentstorage, office space, or warehouse space. In certain embodiments,non-computing space 158 holds systems used to provide data centerinfrastructure, such as CRACs, UPSs, generators, power panels, ornetwork switches.

Second-level space 108 includes exhaust plenum 160, catwalk 162, andmixing plenum 164. Air handling system 146 may be installed in secondlevel space 108. Air handling systems 166 may draw air from host aisle168 of computing room 132 through an opening in ceiling 114 and exhaustthe air into exhaust plenum 160. Air in exhaust plenum 160 may bedischarged to the outside by way of roof vent 162.

In some embodiments, mixing plenum 164 mixes air removed from computingroom 132 with air from outside the data center. Air from mixing plenum164 may be ducted into computing room 132.

Subfloor space 110 includes subfloor plenum 170. Subfloor plenum 170 mayhold a source of air for removing heat from computing devices in rackcomputing systems 136. Floor vents 172 allow air from subfloor plenum170 to be drawn into cold aisles 174. The arrows in FIG. 1C illustrateone example of air flow in a data center.

From time to time, the amount of computing space needed for a datacenter may increase or decrease. In some embodiments, a movable wall istranslated to increase or decrease the size of a computing room. Forexample, in the data center shown in FIGS. 1A through 1C, movable wall124 may be translated along side walls 120 relative to end wall 134 toincrease or decrease the length of computing room 114. In this example,the width of computing room 114 remains constant, regardless of theposition of movable wall 114. Movable wall may be rolled on rollers 178of roller assemblies 128. Movable wall 124 may be guided by floor rails176. In certain embodiments, a movable wall may be carried on floorrails or tracks.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of expandingchanging the size of a computing room of a data center by translating amovable wall. At 180, a computing room enclosed by a plurality of wallsis provided. If expansion of the computing space, an expansion zone maybe added to a computing space by moving a wall to encompass theexpansion zone. The expansion zone may be prepared in a data center forexpanding the computing space in the data center. Initially, theexpansion zone may be raw space, or otherwise not ready to supportcompute resources. To prepare the expansion zone for use as computingspace, ceilings, and walls in the expansion zone may be finished.Electrical power, cooling air, network cables, and other datainfrastructure elements may be routed to the expansion zone.

At 182, a movable wall is translated relative to the other walls of thecomputing room to increase or decrease the size of the computing room.The movable wall may be, for example, translated away from an opposingwall to increase the length of the computing room.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a plan view and a side elevation view,respectively, of a data center after a movable wall has been translatedto increase the length of a computing room. Relative to FIGS. 1A and 1B,movable wall 124 has been moved away from end wall 134 to increase thelength of computing room 132 and encompass expansion zone 190. Rackcomputing systems 136 a have been added in expansion zone 190. Datacenter infrastructure modules 140 a have been added to provideinfrastructure for rack computing systems 136 a in expansion zone 180.In certain embodiments, some or rack computing systems 136 a aresupported by data center infrastructure modules 140, and some or all ofdata center infrastructure modules 140 a may be omitted.

In some embodiments, a computing room is enlarged by adding side modulesin an expansion zone. Enlarging a computing room may include extendingsupport structure elements from the computing room into an expansionzone for the computing room. Side modules may be coupled to the supportstructure elements in the expansion zone to enclose an enlargedcomputing room. In some embodiments, enlarging a computing room includesmoving an end wall relative to one or more other walls of a computingroom. Gaps at the expansion zone may be filled with side modules.

FIG. 4 illustrates enlarging a computing room of a data center by addingside modules. At 200, an end wall of a computing room is moved away fromone or more other walls of the computing room such that a gap is createdin an expansion zone between the movable wall and the one or more otherwalls of the computing room.

In some embodiments, support structure elements are extended from acomputing room into an expansion zone for the computing room. Examplesof support structure elements include section of floor (such as aconcrete slab), raised rails, floor rails, beams, frames, trusses, orposts.

At 202, side modules are installed in the expansion zone for a computingroom. The side modules may be coupled to supporting structure elements,such as a frame, rail, or floor. The side modules may be arranged toenclose additional computing space. Side modules in the expansion zonemay, in combination with other enclosing elements, define an enlargedcomputing room.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a side module that can be used onthe side of computing room of a data center. Side module 206 includesface frame 208, enclosure 210, and systems 212. Opening 214 is providedin frame 208. Louvers 216 may be provided on the exterior wall of sidemodule 206 to provide air flow into enclosure 210.

In some embodiments, side module (such as side modules 206) couple withinterior frame members for a computing room. Examples of interior framemembers for a computing room include a rail, stud, column, beam, orjoist.

Systems 212 in each of side modules 206 may vary from module to module.Some modules may include systems for providing infrastructure resources,such as electrical power, cooling air, network connections, and storage,for compute resources in a computing room. In some embodiments,different functions are provided by each side module. For example, oneside module may include mechanical equipment for cooling, another sidemodule may provide electrical power, and another may provide networkconnections to systems external to the computing room. Power cables,data cables, or cooling air may be provided to computing resources inthe computing room through the opening 214 in frame 208.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a data center having side modulesthat can be used to increase the size of a computing room. Data center220 includes floor 222, floor rails 223, raised rails 224, modularpanels 226, interior wall 228, and exterior wall 230.

Modular panels 226 include modular side panels 232 and modular ceilingpanels 234. Modular panels 226 include modular side panels 232 andmodular ceiling panels 234 may be installed on raised rails 224. In someembodiments, fasteners, such screws, bolts, or clips, are used to securemodular side panels 232 and modular ceiling panels 234 on raised rails224.

Rack computing systems 238 may be operated in computing room 242.Computing room 242 may be enclosed by modular panels 226, interior wall228, and floor 222.

Data center 220 includes data center infrastructure modules 240. Datacenter infrastructure modules 240 and 241 may be coupled to any or allof modular panels 226. Each combination of a data center infrastructuremodule 240 and modular side panel 226 may serve as a side module. Datacenter infrastructure modules 240 may provide infrastructure resources,such as electrical power, cooling air, network connections, and storage,for compute resources in computing room 242. Data center infrastructuremodule 241 may include a hallway that spans between computing room 242and another computing room in data center 220. Data centerinfrastructure modules 240 may be similar to data center infrastructuremodules 140 described above relative to FIGS. 1A-1C. Thus, data centerinfrastructure modules 240 may include, for example, mechanical modules,network modules, secure storage modules, office space modules, andsecure payment modules. Data center infrastructure modules 240 includesa loading dock module 243. Loading dock module 243 includes loading door244, loading platform 245, and truck 246. Loading door 244 may be usedto control access through the module and protect computing resourcesfrom environmental conditions outside of the modules.

In some embodiments, cooling modules are mounted on a ceiling panel ofan expandable data center. For example, in the data center shown in FIG.6, cooling module 250 is mounted on one of ceiling modular panels 234.Cooling module 250 may be operated to introduce cool air to into coldaisles 260 in computing room 242 through lateral openings 262 of modularceiling panel 234, and remove heated air from hot aisle 264 computingroom 242 through center opening 266 of modular ceiling panel 234.

Interior wall 228 and exterior wall 230 may be translated on floor rails223 and raised rails 224. Interior wall 228 and exterior wall 230 eachinclude rollers 260. Rollers 260 may be used to facilitate moving ofinterior wall 228 and exterior wall 230. In certain embodiments,interior wall 228 and exterior wall 230 include a drive system. Drivesystems may be operated to move interior wall 228 and exterior wall 230from one position to another. A drive system may include motors, cables,pulleys, wheels, gantries or other systems or devices for moving a wall.In certain embodiments, an interior wall, exterior wall, or both, arecarried (for example, hung), on structural elements above or along thesides of the walls. Rollers or sliders may be provided along the sidesor on top of the interior wall or exterior to allow the wall to becarried on the structural elements.

In some embodiments, a movable wall is used in combination with modularpanels to enclose a computing room of a data center. FIG. 7 illustratesone embodiment of a data center in which a movable wall has beenpositioned to serve as an end wall of a computing room. In this example,interior wall 228 has been moved to enclose computing room 242.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the portion of data center 220 outsideof computing room 242 may be raw space that is not yet ready to supportcomputing operations. In some cases, the raw space may be used forpurposes other than computing, such as equipment storage.

Exterior wall 230 may remain spaced away from interior wall 228. In someembodiments, exterior wall 232 provides protection from outdoorenvironmental conditions, such as rain, in the portion of the datacenter outside computing room 242.

As the need arises, a computing room may be made larger or smaller byinstalling or removing modular panel and data infrastructure modules. Insome embodiments, a movable wall is pulled away from existing panels toencompass an expansion zone for more compute resources. In someembodiments, modular panels or infrastructure modules, or both, areadded to previously installed supporting structure elements. In certainembodiments, supporting structure elements are added on an as-neededbasis in advance of expanding computing space. For example, in the datacenter shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, sections of floor 222 may be added bypouring additional sections of concrete slab. As another example,sections of floor rails 223, raised rails 224, or both may be added asneeded. In certain embodiments, additional structural elements for ahanging wall, such as a side rails or overhead rails, are added to adata center to allow the movable wall to be moved out to increase thelength of a computing room.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a data center with a computing room that isbounded by side modules. Data center 280 includes computing room 282.Computing room 282 is enclosed by side modules 284, end wall 286, andmovable interior wall 288. Side modules 284 are coupled on interiorframes 290. Computing room 282 houses rack computing systems 292.Computing room 282 is located under second-level structure 294.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate extending support structure elements toenlarge a computing room of a data center. Relative to FIGS. 9A and 9B,interior frames 290 a have been added to rails 290 in expansion zone296. Side modules 284 a may be coupled to interior frames 290 a. Movableexterior wall 298 may provide protection from environmental elementsduring preparation of expansion zone 296.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate an enlarged computing room. Relative toFIGS. 9A and 9B, interior wall 288 has been moved such that computingroom 282 encompasses expansion zone 296. Rack computing systems 292 ahave been added to computing room 282 in expansion zone 296. Sidemodules 284 a may provide data center infrastructure, such as electricalpower, network connections, and cooling, for computing devices in rackcomputing systems 292 a.

In some embodiments, a data center includes side modules that connecttwo or more computing rooms. FIG. 11 illustrates a data center havingcomputing rooms connected by common side modules. Data center 300includes computing room 302 a, computing room 302 b, and side modules304, 306, and 308. Computing room 302 a and computing room 302 b mayeach be expandable as described above. Side module 304 may include aninterconnecting hallway that connects computing room 302 a and computingroom 302 b. In some embodiments, side module 306 and 308 provide commondata infrastructure for computing devices computing rooms 302 a and 302b.

In some embodiments, a data center includes an expandable exteriorenclosure for housing computing space. FIG. 12 illustrates a data centerhaving an expandable exterior shell. Data center 320 includes computingroom 322 and exterior shell 324. Computing room 322 may be similar tocomputing room 282 described above relative to FIGS. 8A and 8B.Computing room 322 encloses rack computing systems 326. Computing room322 may be enlarged by moving interior wall 328.

Exterior shell 324 includes canopy 330, end wall 332, and movableexterior wall 334. Movable exterior wall may travel on rails 336.Exterior shell 324 may provide environmental protection for computingroom 322 and for the portion of data center 320 outside of computingroom 322.

Canopy 330 may have a bellows-type construction. A portion of canopy 330may cover computing room 332 (for example, section 330 a). As additionalroom is needed to house computing resources, exterior movable wall 334may be moved out (for example, rolled along rails 336).

In the example shown in FIG. 12, canopy 330 is provided in sections.Sections of canopy may be connected to one another by way of interfaceplates 331. Interface flanges may include a flange for bolting adjacentsections to on another. Additional sections of canopy may be expanded asthe wall is moved out. For example, section 330 b may be expanded tocreate an expansion zone under section 330 b. Sections of canopy thatare not yet needed may remain in a compressed state, such as section 330c.

Canopy 330 may be supported on guide wire 333. The opposing ends ofguide wire 333 may be attached to opposing end walls in the data center.Each of interface plates 331 may be hung on guide wire 333. Guide wire333 may support canopy 330. For example, guide wire 333 may inhibitsagging of canopy 330 between the opposing end walls of the data center.In some embodiments, canopy 330 is at least partially made out of cloth.

Although in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, canopy 330 is supported ona guide wire, a cover for an enclosure may be supported by otherelements, such as a beams, trusses, rods, joists, or a roof structure.In some embodiments, supporting elements for a cover are provided belowthe cover. For example, in an alternate embodiment, guide wire 333 maybe strung below canopy 330.

Although in the data center shown in FIG. 12, an enclosure may, in otherembodiments, include other types of expandable covers. For example, inone embodiment, an exterior enclosure includes a series of nested roofsections connected to movable exterior wall. As additional space isneeded in a data center, the exterior movable wall may be moved out touse one or more additional roof sections.

Although in many embodiments described above, movable walls includerollers, a movable wall may in various embodiments not include rollers.In certain embodiments, a movable wall may swing out (for example, onone or more hinges). In some embodiments, two or more movable walls areprovided next to another.

Although in many embodiments described above, movable walls move onfloor rails, a movable wall may in various embodiments be carried onrails or tracks above the floor, such as overhead rails of side rails.In certain embodiments, a movable end wall for a computing room may notbe coupled to any tracks or rails.

Although in many embodiments described above, existing portions ofcomputing space is enlarged by an expansion zone, in certainembodiments, a partition may be maintained between the old computingspace and the new computing space in a computing room.

In some embodiments, expansion of one or more computing rooms in a datacenter may occur in different directions. For example, a computing roommay be expanded in two, perpendicular directions (for example, by movingone moving wall to the north and another moving wall to the east.

Although in many embodiments described above, a computing room isprotected by a preexisting roof structure, a computing may in variousembodiments, have a roof that is constructed as the computing roomexpanded.

Although in many embodiments described above, a computing room isillustrated as having one movable end wall and one fixed end wall, adata center may in some embodiments, have movable end walls on both endsof a computing room. For example, wall 134 shown in FIG. 1A may bereplaced by a movable wall.

Although in many embodiments described above, rollers for a movable wallroll on the floor of a computing room or on floor rails, a movable wallmay in some embodiments include rollers that engage structure elementsabove the floor. For example, a movable wall may include rollers thatengage on rails above the floor, such as rails 224 shown in FIGS. 6 and7. In some embodiments, a movable wall is carried by structural elementsabove the floor, such as rails 224 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In certainembodiments, a movable wall is hung from structural members, such asrails. The movable wall may include hangers (such as hooks), rollers, orboth for engaging the structural members. In certain embodiments, amovable wall is carried on side walls a computing room or otherstructural members along the sides of the wall. In one embodiment, amovable wall includes side-mounted rollers or sliders for engaging aside wall or other structural element provided along the sides of themovable wall.

Although the embodiments above have been described in considerabledetail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent tothose skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated.It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace allsuch variations and modifications.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of enlarging a computing room,comprising: moving a movable end wall of a computing room away from oneor more other walls of the computing room such that a gap is created inan expansion zone between the movable wall and the one or more otherwalls; and coupling one or more side modules in the gap between themovable wall and the one or more other walls such that the side modules,the movable end wall, and at least one of the other walls define anenlarged computing room that includes the expansion zone.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein moving the movable end wall of a computing room awayfrom the one or more other walls comprises rolling or sliding the wall.3. The method of claim 1, wherein coupling the one or more side modulesin the gap between the movable wall and the one or more other wallscomprises coupling opposing side modules that flank at least a portionof the expansion zone.
 4. The method of claim 1, further at least aportion of the side modules comprise data center infrastructure modules.5. A method of enlarging a computing room, comprising: extending one ormore support structure elements from a computing room into an expansionzone for the computing room; and coupling one or more side modules to atleast one of the supporting structure elements in the expansion zone forthe computing room to at least partially enclose an enlarged computingroom.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein extending one or more supportstructure elements from the computing room into an expansion zone forthe computing room comprises installing one or more frame members in theexpansion zone.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein extending one or moresupport structure elements from the computing room into an expansionzone for the computing room comprises adding or finishing floor in theexpansion zone.
 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the computing room ispartially enclosed by a movable end wall, the method further comprisingmoving the movable end wall in the direction of the expansion zone toincrease a length of the computing room, wherein at least one of theside modules and the movable end wall combine to at least partiallyenclose the expansion zone.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein moving themovable end wall comprises sliding or rolling the movable end wall inthe expansion zone.
 10. The method of claim 5, further comprisingcoupling one or more data center infrastructure modules to at least oneof the side modules, wherein at least one of the data centerinfrastructure modules is configured to provide data centerinfrastructure to rack computing systems in the expansion zone for thecomputing room.
 11. The method of claim 5, further comprising couplingone or more ceiling panels to at least one of the one more supportstructure elements in the expansion zone.
 12. The method of claim 5,further comprising installing one or more cooling modules configured toprovide cooling to rack computing system to rack computing systems inthe expansion zone for the computing room.
 13. The method of claim 5,further comprising, before extending one or more support structureelements from the computing room into the expansion zone, moving anexterior wall to at least partially isolate the expansion zone from anoutside environment.
 14. The method of claim 5, further comprising,before extending one or more support structure elements from thecomputing room into the expansion zone, enlarging an exterior shell forthe computing room to at least partially protect the expansion zone froman outside environment.
 15. A data center, comprising: a floorconfigured to support one or more rack computing systems; one or morewalls, wherein at least one of the walls is a movable end wallconfigured to move away from one or more other walls of the computingroom to create an expansion zone between the movable wall and the one ormore other walls; and one or more side modules configured to couple in agap between the movable wall and the one or more other walls such thatthe one or more side modules, the movable wall, and at least one of theother walls define an enlarged computing room that includes theexpansion zone.
 16. The data center of claim 15, further comprising oneor more rails, wherein the at least one movable wall is coupled formovement on the one or more rails.
 17. The data center of claim 15,wherein at least two of the one or more side modules are coupled in agap between the movable wall and the one or more other walls and flankat least portion of the expansion zone.
 18. The data center of claim 15,wherein the side modules comprise one or more data center infrastructuremodules, wherein at least one of the data center infrastructure modulesis configured to provide data center infrastructure to rack computingsystems in the expansion zone.
 19. The data center of claim 15, furthercomprising an exterior wall configured to at least partially isolate theexpansion zone from an outside environment.
 20. A data center,comprising: one or more rack computing systems; a floor configured tosupport the one or more rack computing systems; two or more opposing endwalls; and two or more side modules; wherein at least two of the sidemodules and at least two of the end walls are arranged to at leastpartially enclose a computing room for the rack computing systems,wherein at least one the end walls is movable to allow insertion ofadditional side modules along the sides of the computing room to enlargethe computing room.
 21. The data center of claim 20, wherein at leastone of the side modules comprises a data center infrastructure module,wherein the at least one data center infrastructure module is configuredto provide data center infrastructure to rack computing systems in thecomputing room.
 22. The data center of claim 21, wherein at least one ofthe data center infrastructure modules comprises an electrical powermodule configured to supply power to one or more rack computing systemsin the computing room.
 23. The data center of claim 21, wherein at leastone of the data center infrastructure modules is a cooling moduleconfigured to provide cooling for one or more rack computing systems inthe computing room.
 24. The data center of claim 21, wherein at leastone of the data center infrastructure modules is a storage module. 25.The data center of claim 21, wherein at least one of the data centerinfrastructure modules is a secure payment module.
 26. The data centerof claim 21, wherein at least one of the data center infrastructuremodules comprises a loading dock.
 27. The data center of claim 21,wherein at least of the data center infrastructure modules is coupledbetween the computing room and an additional computing room, wherein theat least one data center infrastructure module is configured to provideinfrastructure for rack computing systems in the additional computingroom.
 28. The data center of claim 20, further comprising an additionalcomputing room, wherein at least one of the side modules comprises ahallway, wherein the hallway is configured to allow personnel to movebetween the computing room and the additional computing room.
 29. Thedata center of claim 20, further comprising one or more frame membersabove the floor, wherein at least one of the one or more frame memberscomprises a portion that extends beyond the computing room into anexpansion zone, wherein the at least one frame member is configured tocouple with at least one additional side module in the expansion zone toincrease the length of the computing room.
 30. The data center of claim20, wherein at least one of the frame members comprises one or morerails above the floor, wherein at least one of the rails extends awayfrom the enclosed space, wherein at least one of the one or more sidemodules are configured to couple on a portion of the rails that extendsinto an expansion zone for the computing room.
 31. The data center ofclaim 20, further comprising a catwalk configured to extend over anexpansion zone for the computing room.
 32. The data center of claim 20,further comprising a cable tray configured to extend over an expansionzone for the computing room.
 33. The data center of claim 20, furthercomprising an exterior wall configured to at least partially isolate anexpansion zone for the computing room from an outside environment. 34.The data center of claim 20, further comprising an exterior shellconfigured to expand to at least partially isolate an expansion zone forthe computing room from an outside environment.